Pipe joint



Oct. 25, 1932. J, R. MGWANE 1,884,063

PIPE JOINT Filed Flb. 2o, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 1 /Wvl 5 (5/9/6 5 ATTORNEYS ou. 25, 1932. J, R, MCWANE 1,384,063

` PIPE JOINT Filed Feb. 2o, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Oct. Z5, 1932 atrae sra'ts PATENT OFFICE JAMES R. MCWANE, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR T MCWANE CAST IRON PIPLE COMPANY, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF ALABAMA PIPE JOINT Application filed February 20, 1929. Serial No. 341,406.

This invention relates to pipe joints, and among other objects, aims to provide a pipe joint particularly adapted for gas lines, which may be made up as a prepared Vor factory-made joint by the pipe manufacturer, which will hold gas under highpressure without leakage, and which will permita relatively large movement ofthe pipe sections (either lateral deliection or longitudinal movement), without leakage.

It will be' understood that the term gas is used generically in this specification, and hence when I say gas I mean air and other gases, natural and artificial.v

l In the accompanying drawings,-

Fig. l is a` diametric section of the bell end of a pipe,with a mandreltherein, showing the ointrmaterials after assembly;

Fig. 2 is a diametric section of the completed pipe joint;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of one of the gaskets;

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of the gasket of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the other gasket;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the gasket of Fig. 5; f

Fiv. 7 is a'fragmentary end elevation of one of the wedge rings;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through one side of the Wedge ring of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is .a detaill of the wedge ring of Fig. 7, showing particularly the shape of the Wedges; f

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary end elevation of the other Wedge ring;

Fig. il is a cross-section through one side of the wedge ring of Fig. l0; and

Fig. l2 is a ldetail showing several of the wedges of Fig'lO in plan.

In` the making of pipe joints, rubber gaskets of various designs have been employed, particularly on joints for conveying gas and air. Two outstanding types of such joints are in use. One is the usual type of bell and spigot where the gasket is inserted in the bell around the spigot and subsequentlycompressed by calking. Gaskets used in this way are either square or round or V-shaped.

There are two objections to such joints: one is the difficulty of properly compressing the rubber, resulting in excessive calking, and the other difficulty is thek fact that any movement of the spigot due to expansion and contraction is likely to disturb the gasket and lead to leakage. Y

The other type of joint employing the rubber gasket is what is called the bolted gland joint. In this case, a specially designed bell is used which will receve a rubber gasketV of the proper shape, which is tightened againstthe spigot by a gland around the spigot being bolted tight against the rubber. The two principal objections to this, in addition to the expense, are, first, the danger of the bolts rusting out in the course of time, and, second, the exposure of the rubber around the gland to the action of air and moisture which limits the effective life of the rubber.

Referring particularly to the drawings,

there is shown the bell 5 of a bell and spigot pipe` inV which a mandrel 6 is placed so that an annular space is Vleft between the outer wall of the mandrel and the inside of the bell, for insertion of the joint materials. As shown, the mandrel is so shaped as to be automatically centered with respect to the bell, thus insuring uniform packing of the joint, and is provided with an inwardly eX- tending flange 7 at the outer end, facilitating withdrawal when the joint materials are in place.

In making the joint, the mandrel 6 is inserted first, and then a packing ring 8, preferably of lead, is pushed in until it comes in contact with a beveled surface 9 on the shoulder 10, of the bell. To provide clearance, the outside diameter of the mandrel is very slightly larger than the spigot 11, which is inserted later, when the pipe lengths are assembled in the field. So as to hold the lead ring 8 in place and provide means for automatically tightening the joint in case of deflection of the pipe sections, a preformed ring made'up of a series of wedges 12 shown as being made of metal and 4flexibly held together by a lead providingasecond seal against the gas to be conducted by the pipe, ring 8 providing the primary seal.

Next to the wedge ring thereisplaCed a rubber gasket 14 in the form of a ring having a generally triangular crosssection. This gasket is so placed that one Wall 15 abuts the Vlead holder 13, and Vitswide wall 16y presents an inclined pla-neto certain joint material to be described. 'Toobviate excessive flexing ofthe pointed end of the gasket' 14, a metallic reinforcing (which may be`in the form of severalwires 17, as'ishown), is used. Adjacent the gasket 14 a V-shaped rubber gasket 1:8.is placed,A with the point of the V inserted clearance F20 lintothe narrowing space between wall `16 Primarily to insure'- uniformity of dimensions yfor'thefgaskets 14, 18,'and hence uniformly Veffective sealing-with standardized joint materials,the`surface 19 is machined,- a tool being left' at the bottom of the bell.

V`To' drive'the V-shaped gasket home, a sec- 'ondvvedgev ring is used, 'said wedge ring beingconiposed of an annular Vseries of metallic Wedges 21 (Figs. 7, 8and9) encased in a lead rin 22 which is generally'similar tol ring 13, anv 'lockedlto the wedges by the provision of 'lateral and longitudinal." grooves 23, 23a v'in "the wedges. The' lead ring 22 fits overl a' steel klsleeve 24 (to'bedescribed). :To ll'thejo'int,

lspace surrounding and,l above lead ring 22, additional lead 25is poured in" after* the assembly'of the other 'parts of the? joint. The

Eoured" lead' 25 and theV preformed' ring 122.

llthe entire space between' the 'gasket v14 andy theend of the "bell, as shown 'inf Fig. 1; and because of a. 'locking groove 25aiin thebell, the lead 'is-securely held. The assembly'of the joint is now complete, and themandrel iswithdrawn.

"Whenv the-joint `is to becompleted inthe -field, the' spigot Yis :thrust into 'the bell (the joint lmaterialsthereof being as shownin :Fig: 1*),V until its end abuts the .shoulder 10.

Then by'means of a 'calking tool (not shown), tthema-ss'oilead 25 is pushed inwardly; leaving'an annular Vfin 26 adjacent the` spigot, :and thrusting'gasket 18 tightly against gasket Y'14. "Because ofk thel 'inclined wall 16, and ythe AVlshape of gasket 18, the two'ga'skets are very tightlyH compressed against the spigot and vtheinside'rofl the bell., The "ends ofk wedges 21'providea solid core for thepointed endoil flexible gasket 18 and prevent it from collapsing as it is thrust home.

Y It will be understood that the lead enters the "steel sleeve 24.i jlf desired thespace left afterl l'the y"final 'calking 'may' ybe filled with ,more lead, but this is not necessary, and 'hence is not shown in the drawings. Y Y

Theisteelsleeve 24 plays an important part both in assembling the joint and after assembly. It is usually '"dicult to position any rubber: gasket. perfectlyfand stillV more 'ditlicu'lt, when inserting the spigot, to prevent its-N fouling against any projecting element..k

To obviate'any such fouling, the pointed end i of;` gasket 14 has afbeveled inner'surface 27 vjustwide enough forcontact with the sleeve 24, which mayorniayfnot have a vbeveled surface 28,*ffdepending` 'on "theI thickness of the sleeve. lThus the'sleeve 24 will prevent n j j the pointed end of gasket'14from projecting of gasket14 and the 'surface 19 of the bell.

into lthe path of thespigot, l'and Vwill actually guidey or center the spigot. The reinforcing means 17 so stiflens" the pointed' end of the gasket 14 that it 'is not distorted by the thrust of theisteelsleeve, ori'the entrance of the V gasket and'weidges.

Anotheradvantage of the 'sleeve' 'is that it permits sliding of thespi'got, whether from thermal ex ansion or from other causes, withoutlea vage' ofthe joint. It hasbeen found that if the sleeve is used, thespigot ma move in"and"out ofthe 'bell without lea age, while without the sleeve, verysmall 'inovements'of the spigot 'will cause a'leak.

The sleeve is rsmooth on the rinner'surface,

though not necessarily"ma'chined,iand lits over the smooth surface of the spigot. If the spigot is 'cast iron', -as is'ipreferred,'its surface will be smoothed by lan'emeryfwheel or'other -nieans to `enable the sleeve to fit closely and slide freely over thei'spigot.

The described'pipe joint "is best made up at `the factory, to save time andf'labor in the lield and to realize the advantages of-specialyil)74V trained labor working' under v'thefmost favorable conditions. "Whenso made, the

' pipe jointA is completed without anydifllculty,

the spigotbeing easily thrust homewithout `danger 'ofouling' on ytheijoint materials.

out great distortion vrof their original form. y'Thus the final lca-lkimgris reduced toa 4minimum consistent lwith' an'absolutely1k tight joint. i However,E `if sliding' takesY place, the sleeve permits it, Without disturbance of 'the sure is to be held.

The described joint is not only tight; it is also long lived. The rubber gaskets are sealed by the lead rings both from the atmosphere, which oXidizes rubber, and from the gas, which may rot the rubber by a chemical action. Further advantages are the absence of any bolts, which may rust out, and the provision of a flexible expansion oint to take the place of Welded or other rigid constructions.

In my companion application, Serial No. 341,407, now issued as Patent No. 1,824,560, dated September 22, 1931, there is described and claimed a pipe joint employing a plastic parting substance in lieu of the'above-described sleeve 24. This application is generic With respect to the aforesaid patented invention.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of ther invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

What l claim is 1. A pipe joint for gas pipe and thelike comprising, in combination, a bell; a. spigot inserted in the bell; a packing ring at the bottom of the bell and in contact With the Vend ofthe spigot; a flexible ring consisting of a series of metallic blocks in a holder, having the 'ends of the blocks abutted against the packing ring; a pair of rubber gaskets inserted in the joint space adjacent the block iolder; one of the gaskets being generally triangular in cross-section, and placed so that its point is toward the top of the bell, and the other gasket b-eing generally V- shaped in cross-section With its point presented in the direction of the bottom of the bell; calking material in the joint space adapted to force the rubber gaskets closer together by a Wedgingk action; and a rigid sleeve interposed between the calking material and the spigot and designed to facilitate sliding of the spigot for some distance out of the bell Without leakage of the joint. 2. A pipe joint for gas pipe and the like comprising, in combination, a b-ell having a locking groove near itsmouth; a. spigot inserted in the bell; apacking ring at the bottom of the bell'and in contact with the end of the spigot; a flexible ring consisting vof a series of metallic blocks in a holder,

Vbeing generally V-shapedV in cross-section with its point presented in the direction of the bottom of the bell; a second flexible ring comprising a series of Wedges extending into the V-sliaped gasket and constituting a solid core for the same; the triangular gasket also being reinforced; calking material filling the space between the gaskets andthe mouth of the bell; and a metallic sleeve interposed between the calking material and the spigot and serving as a guide for the spigot during assembly and also facilitating sli Ling of the spigot.

3. A pipe joint particularly7 designed for high pressure gas lines and the like comprising,'in combination, a packing for the bottom of the bell; a pair of rubber gaskets in the joint room constructed like Wedges so that as they move toward cach other they lit more tightly against the spigot and bell; calking lead beyond the gaskets; means formed on the bell for locking the calking lead so that, after calking, the gaskets are held against displacement; and a rigid sleeve adjacent the calkin'g lead fitting closely over the spigot and in contact with one of the gaskets to prevent fouling of the spigot when thrust home and to allowr movement of the spigot Without leakage.

4. A bell and spigot pipe joint comprising, in combination, joint sealing materials in the bottom and intermediate portions of the bell, calked and locked in plac by other packing material; and a rigid sleeve interposed between the locking material and the and closely i'itting the spigot to prevent movement of the locking material with the spiot and to permit longitudinal sliding of the spigot in the bell, both before and VaQter assembly and calking of the joint.

5. A belland spigot pipe joint comprising, in combination, a pair of rubber packing rings juxtaposed to each other and so constructed and 1anged that movement of the rings toward each other tightens the seal effected by the rings; a flexible ring and joint sealing material at the bottom of the bell; said sealing material sealing the rubber rings against the gas in the interior of the pipe; said flexible ring transmitting tnrusts from said sealing material to the rubber rings and vice versa when the spigot is deflected; and joint sealing material locked with the bell near the top and calked in position for holding the rubber rings against displacement.

(i. A. bell and spigot pipe oint comprising, in combination, a pair of rubber packing rings juxtaposed to each other and so constructed and arranged that movement of the rings toward each other tightens tlie seal effected by the rings; oint seal ng material at the bottom of the bell for seal I, rubber rings against the interior of the iipe; other joint sealing material locked with the bell near the top and calked in position for holding the rubber rings against displacement; and a sleeve having a smooth interior tilting snugly over the spigot;` and f permitting kthe c "surface at theendwhich is directed toward the top ofthe bell; and the sleeve fitting over vil) the beveledsurface of the rubber ring so'as to obviate fouling ofthe spigot on the rubber ring when the spigot is thrust home.

,7. yA bellrand spigoty pipe joint comprising, in combination, a pair of rubber packing rings juxtaposed to each other and so constructed and arranged that movement of the rings toward each other tightens the seal effected by the rings; joint sealing material at the bottom of the bellfor sealing the'rubber rings against the interior of the pipe; other joint' sealing material locked 'with the bell knear the top and calked in positiony for holding therubber rings. against displacement; anda metallic sleeve having a smooth interior fitting snugly overthe spigot; and permitting the spigot t-o slide thereinl without movement ofthe sealing material whichA is locked with the bell, one ofthe rubber rings having a beveledsurfaceat' the end which is directed toward the top of the bell, and being reinforced near 'said beveled surface', and theY sleeve hav- 'ingfa complementary beveled surface fitting over the beveledsurface of therubber ring so as to obviate fouling of the spigot on therrubfber ring when the spigot is thrust home.

ing the rubber gasket against outward move-V xnent;: a metallic cylindrical sleeve in close contact with the/spigotv and locked in place by the lead said sleeve engaging with the gasket to prevent the'spigot'from fouling on the gasket during assembly.

"9, A bell and spigot pipe joint comprising, inv combinatiom'aring of iexibly connected blocksvat the bottom of the bell; arubber. gasket at an'intermediate pointin the oint and held against movement toward the bottom of the bell by said ring ofA blocks; lead calked in theV bell and holding lthe rubber gasket against outward movement; r"a `ring of metallic wed'gesnalso held by said lead; the'gasket being V-shaped and the endsof the wedges entering the space Abetween the wings of the gasket to provide a metalliccorev forthe gasket; and arubber packing ring :having one surface presenting an inclined' plane over which the 'gasket moves when the joint is tightened by calking, whereby said'gasket is 'tightened against the'inner surface of the bell. Y

110.bell. and spigot pipe joint comprising, in combination, a. ring of blocks iiexibly connected together byL a ring of lead; said L gaseosa blocks having their freen ends adjacent the bottom of the bell; said ring of lead" being tightly `compressed against bothV they bell and the spigot to provide a seal; a V-shaped rubber gasket atan intermediate'point inthe joint and held against movement toward the bottom of the bell by saidblocks; -aring of wedges whose ends projectinto the spacebetween the wings ofthe V-shapedv rubberv gas- `ket; and lead kcalkedfinand iznterlockediwith the bell at the top. thereof and holding the aforesaid joint materials tightly compressed in the joint.

11. A bell and'spigot pipejoint comprising; inv combination, a ring ofL blocks viexibly connected togetherby a ring of lead; ,said blocks uhaving.:V their free ends adjacent", the bottom of thebell; said ring'oflead being tightly compressed against bot-h1 the bell and the spigot to provide a seal; a V-shaped'rubber gasket lat an intermediate pointrin the joint andheld against lmovement toward the bot-tom' of the bell vby said blocks; a. ring of metallic wedges whose pointed ends project into and substantially fill the space between 'the wings of the rfV-,shaped rubber gasket; a

rubber packing ring 'interposed between and in contact with the V-shaped gasket, `the 'aforesaid-ringrofl lead and the spigot, said ypacking ring havin gaan.- outer? frusta-,corneal surface serving as an Vinclined plane to cause awedging action when said V-shaped gasket is moved toward the bottom of the tbell; and lead calked in the jbell fat the top thereof and holding the aforesaid joint materials tightly compressed inthe joint.

12, A bell and spigot pipe joint compris- Ying, in combinatioma ring of blocks flexibly connected together by a ringy of'lead; said blocks having their free ends adjacent the bot-tom of the bell; said ring of lead being tightly compressed against both the bell and the spigot to provide a seal; a V-shaped rubber gasket at an intermediate point in the joint and `held against'movement toward the bottom of the. bell bysaid blocks; a ring of metallic wedges whose ends project Vinto the space Vbetween the wings of the V-shaped rubber gasket; a rubber packing ring interposed between and in contact with the '3i 13. 'Af bell and' spigot Apipe jointz'comprising, in combination, a ring of blocks flexibly connected together by a ring of lead; said blocks having their free ends adjacent the bottom of the bell; said ring of lead being tightly compressed against both the bell and the spigot to provide a seal; a ring of metallic Wedges; a rubber packing ring in contact With the aforesaid ring of lead and With the bell and the spigot; said rubber packing ring being generally triangular in cross-section with the pointed end directed toward the top ofthe bell, and having a. beveled inner surface so that the pointed end is slightly spaced from the spigot; and lead calked to the bell at the top thereof and holding the ring of metallic Wedges and the packing ring tightly compressed in the joint.

14. A bell and spigot pipe joint comprising. in combination, a ring of metallic blocks flexiblv connected together by a ring of lead; said blocks having their free ends adjacent the bottom of the bell: said ring of lead being tightly compressed against both the bell and the spigot to provide a seal: a ringI of metallic Wedges held together bv a lead ring having an excess of lead; a rubber nacking ring interposed between the aforesaid rinszi of lead andthe ring of metallic Wedges, and in contact with the bell and the spigot at the end Which is toward the bottom of the bell; and lead calked to the bell at the ton thereof and holding the ring of metallic Wedges and the gasket and packing ring tightly compressed on the joint: the excess lead in the lead ring aforesaid becoming amalgamated with the calked lead at the top of the bell during the calking process.

l5. A bell and spigot pine joint of the character described comprising` in combination. a calked primary seal at the bottom of the bell: an intermediate rubber gasket: a calked lead ring in the mouth of the bell: and parting means between said calked lead ring and the spigot and in direct sliding contact with the outside surface of the spigot to permit lon- `fitudinal movement of the spigot Without disturbingthe lead ring and ultimately causing leakage through the joint.

16. A bell and spigot joint for high pressure gas mains comprising, in combination, a compressed rubber gasket; a calked lead ring holding the gasket compressed; and annular parting means between the lead ring and rubber ring and in contact with the spigot to permit the spigot to move relative to the bell Without causing leakage through the joint.

17. A. bell and spigot pipe joint comprising joint packing material; and parting means surrounding the spigot and in direct contact With both the spigot and the joint packing material; said parting means being 0f such physical characteristics as to permit longitudinal movement of the spigot relative ture.

JAMES R. MGWANE. 

